We were not up to the mark: Babar

Zalmi lose key clash against Gladiators in HBL PSL X

Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam admitted that his team fell short in both batting and bowling after their heavy 64-run defeat against Quetta Gladiators in the 17th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, held at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Speaking after the match, Babar Azam admitted the team underperformed.

"I think we weren't quite up to the mark in both batting and bowling," said Babar Azam.

"We failed to execute our plans as we should have. We'll sit down, analyse what went wrong, and make sure we don't repeat the same mistakes moving forward," he added.

With this loss, Zalmi will now look to bounce back in their upcoming matches as they aim to stay in the race for the PSL 10 playoffs.

Quetta Gladiators, after being asked to bat first, posted a solid total of 178 for 7 in their 20 overs. Mark Chapman led the scoring with 33 runs off 26 balls, including three boundaries. Saud Shakeel and Kusal Mendis also chipped in with 32 runs each, while Finn Allen gave the team a quick start with 31 runs from just 16 balls. On the bowling side for Zalmi, Alzarri Joseph picked up three wickets and Saim Ayub claimed two.

In reply, Peshawar Zalmi's batting lineup collapsed, managing only 114 runs in 15.2 overs. Hussain Talat stood out with a fighting 39 off 34 balls, hitting four fours and two sixes. Apart from him, only Babar Azam (12), Mohammad Haris (17), and Mitchell Owen (15) reached double figures.

Amir opens up after dismissing Babar cheaply again

Quetta Gladiators' experienced pacer Mohammad Amir reflected on dismissing Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam for the second time in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday.

Amir, who dismissed Babar for a duck when the two teams first collided in the ongoing edition of the marquee league, bamboozled the star batter with a well-crafted in-swinger.

Aware of the importance of the dismissal, the left-arm pacer ran in jubilation before pulling out a unique celebration while facing the Gladiators' dugout.

His early jolt, followed by Faheem Ashraf's five-wicket haul, led Quetta Gladiators to thump Peshawar Zalmi by 64 runs.

While speaking at the post-match press conference, Amir was probed about the prized dismissal.

The left-arm pacer, in response, asserted that such rivalries entertain people and that is his goal besides teasing the batters.

"Whether on the field or social media, these rivalries entertain people, especially in T20s—that's the main goal," Amir said.

"As a bowler, my role is to tease the batter and show aggression, while the batter aims to score runs. These things should happen, but within limits. My fans post my videos, Babar's fans post his. It's all great for the tournament," he added.

Mohammad Amir then hailed Babar Azam as a 'big player' before revealing how he deceived the star batter.

"Babar Azam is a big player, there is no doubt in that. My plan is always to utilize the swing with the new ball. Whoever it is, Saim or Babar. I thought Babar would be ready for the outswinger, so I tried to bring it back in," he concluded.